Immunisation in WA

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Immunisation schedule

The WA Immunisation Schedule outlines recommended vaccines at certain time frames, to provide optimum protection for each eligible and at-risk cohort. 

The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule sets out a series of immunisations to be given at specific times throughout an Aboriginal person’s life.

People in at-risk cohorts, or those that require catch-up vaccinations, are eligible to receive free vaccines.

For information on immunisation programs in WA, please visit Immunisation schedule and catch-up vaccines.

Visit the online current edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) for clinical guidelines on all vaccines in Australia, including vaccines not on the WA Immunisation Schedule.

National Immunisation Program

The National Immunisation Program (external site) (NIP) aims to protect Australians from vaccine-preventable diseases, and funding is provided by the Commonwealth. 

The WA Department of Health implements the NIP within the State, through strong partnerships and program support to immunisation providers and other stakeholders within the public and private sectors.

The WA Department of Health supplements the NIP through state-funded programs for specific cohorts that may be at-risk. 

National Immunisation Strategy

The National Immunisation Strategy (external site) 2025 – 2030 sets six interdependent priority areas to complement and strengthen the National Immunisation Program (NIP) consistently across state and territory governments.

The strategy provides the necessary framework to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases through high uptake of safe, effective and equitable immunisation across the lifespan.

WA Immunisation Strategy

The Western Australian Immunisation Strategy 2024 – 2028 (PDF 1MB) builds and improves immunisation services established under the previous strategy and its vision. The overarching strategy vision is for every individual, in every community, at every stage of life, to confidently engage with immunisation, supporting robust health for all Western Australians. The five guiding principles which support this vision:

• evidence-based decision making
• community centred approach
• cultural safety
• innovation and adaptability
• accountability.

To reach these aims, the strategy describes 5 priority areas:

• access, equity and coverage
• community confidence and demand
• workforce development
• systems that support immunisation
• partnerships and collaboration.

Immunisation coverage in WA

Immunisation coverage is the single most reliable source of how protected WA individuals are, and how the WA Immunisation Strategy is performing to meet the objectives.

Immunisation providers report vaccine administration records to the Australian Immunisation Register – Services Australia (external site).

Immunisation coverage data is sourced from the AIR and published by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Please visit Immunisation data | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (external site)

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance | NCIRS (external site) also publish Australian immunisation coverage data including annual influenza coverage Influenza vaccination coverage – by jurisdiction. (external site)

More information

Immunisation Program – Communicable Disease Control Directorate
immunisation@health.wa.gov.au